At the beginning of Lent, my wife and I sat at the dinner table with our three daughters, ages 6, 8, and 11, and attempted to explain the meaning of the period and some of the practices that go with it.

"Lent is a time to do what the Bible calls 'repent.' This means that we walk toward God, not away from him. We say that we are sorry for the things we do that are not right. Lent is also a time when many Christians think about how they are living as they get ready to celebrate what Jesus did on the cross and through his resurrection."

So far, so good. The girls' eyes were locked on me and hadn't glazed over.

"So, some people like to show they are thinking about what Jesus gave up for us by giving up something they think has become too important to them, like their computers or coffee or dessert or meat or television. It doesn't make God love us more; it just makes us more open to God and less cluttered with our own junk."

The girls were still with me.

"We would like to do the same as a family. We want to show God that we are thinking of him in a special way. Your mom and I are going to give up all desserts until Easter. We want you girls to think of what you could give up, something that means a lot to you."

Our oldest daughter followed our leading. She said, "I will give up sweets."

"Me, too," our middle daughter chimed in.

Our youngest daughter pondered the question a little longer, her six-year-old mind working the angles. I figured she was letting my deep teaching sink in, that she was pondering what really meant a lot to her. She finally nodded with satisfaction at her thoughtful conclusion and said confidently, "I want to give up consequences!"